Rabbi Scores Gush Emunim

May 7, 1976

LONDON (May. 6)

Britain’s Chief Rabbi. Immanuel Jakobovits, has described the campaign of the Gush Emunim group in Israel for Jewish settlement throughout Biblical Israel as contrary to the highest Jewish tradition and a threat to the Jewish people’s attachment to its religion.

Addressing school children on Israel’s Independence Day, Jakobovits said: “While I respect the sincerity and high idealism of those dedicated to assert the right of Jews to settle throughout the historic land of Israel, moved by the spirit of chalutziut–so rare in our time–I am bound to question the wisdom and authenticity of this particular campaign.”

He said he was concerned “that by associating the Jewish religion with political militancy under the present circumstances, we set contract to every precedent in similar circumstances in our history. It may gravely weaken the attachment of our people to Judaism and will diminish the respect among the nations for our religious teachings.” Above all. Jakobovits declared. “I am deeply troubled that the campaign is provocative and harmful to that reconciliation and understanding which ultimately must be the foundation of an enduring peace.”